Apparatus for indicating the water-level in baths.



P. S. VON GWIAZDOWSKL APPARATUS FOR INDIGATING THE WATER LEVEL IN BATES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1908,

Patented N0v. 17, 1908.

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WHWE ,Z-Zza! 15 56772 71922 6 ATTORNEY PAUL STERN V ON GWIAZDOWSKI, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE WATER-LEVEL IN BATI-IS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17', 1908.

Application filed May 15, 1908. Serial No. 433,050.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL STERN v0). GWIAZDOWSKI, a subject of the German Emperor, and residing at 61 Kurfurstendamm, Berlin, in the German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the ater- Level in Baths, of which the following is a specification.

his invention relates to an improved apparatus for indicating automatically the desired water level in a bath by means of an alarm.

The improved apparatus comprises a float adapted to rise with the rising water level in the bath a contact button or the like device for operating an electric bell or other alarm, and means actuated by said float for operating the contact button when the water in the bath has reached a determined l vel, the apparatus being adapted to be put out oi. operation in such a manner as to leave the bath unobstructed and the contact button tree for use by the bather for other signaling purposes.

In one construction of the improved apparatus, the means for operating the contact button from the rising float, consists of a suitably guided rod composed of two parts jointed pivotally to each other in such a mann 1- that when it is not desired to use the apparatus the part carrying the float can be lifted together with the latter out of the bath and hung up against the wall or otherwise conveniently kept out of operation, so as to leave the bath entirely unobstructed for the bather.

In this construction it is advisable to employ a device which will stifl'en automatically the jointed float rod during use, and can be readily shifted so as to allow the pivoted joint to act and allow the float rod to be lifted out of the bath when it is desired to put the apparatus out of operation.

A suitable construction of apparatus embodying the improvements of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus in condition ready for use, and Fig. 2 a similar view showing the position of the apparatus when it is operating the alarm.

In Fig. 2 the position in which that part of the float rod carrying the float is placed out of operation, is indicated in dotted lines.

a is the ordinary electric bell operating 1 shown in Fig. 1.

button usually provided on the wall of the apartment containing the bath.

Z) is a board fixed to the wall below the button, a. The board, Z), may if desired, be formed with an aperture, 0, as indicated in dotted lines for the reception of the button, a.

c c is a guide mounted on the board Z). (Z (Z is the float rod adapted to slide up and down in this guide.

f f is a bell crank lever fulcrumed at 5/.

7b is a float composed of a hollow metal body mounted on the part, (Z, of the float rod. 2', is a set screw for adjusting the float for ditl'erent water levels. The float may however be constituted by a solid body of suitable material such as cork lighter than water. hen the float is made of cork, the set screw, i is not necessary because the triction between the cork and the rod, (Z', will be sutlicient to hold the float in its adjusted position, and it necessary the cork float may be secured to the rod by means of string or the like to preventit from slipping up along the rod. The part, (Z, of the float rod is con nected to the other part, (Z, thereof by a pivoting joint, 70. m is a tube adapted to be inserted between the rod, (Z, and the part, c, of the guide, for, the purpose of stiffening the float rod in use, as shown in Fig. 2.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows :-lVhen the water taps are opened the bath attendant can leave the apartment because the rising water level in the bath will cause the float, Z2, to ascend until the latter has raised the bell crank lever, f f, into the position shown in Fig. 2, in which the hammer shaped part, f, of that lever has come in contact with the electric bell button, a. As the water rises further, the upward thrust of the float, it, will press the lever, f f hard against the button and thus cause the electric bell to sound until the attendant returns to put the apparatus out of operation, and close the taps.

For the purpose of stopping and putting the apparatus out of operation it is suflicient to move the tube m, up into the position (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2) in which the oint 7c, is uncovered, and the part, cZ, of the float rod together with the float can be lifted out of the water and be attached to the wall by means of a chain or other device as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The part, (Z, of the float rod, sinks by its own weight back into the position The lever also falls down as shown in Fig. 1, and thus releases the contact button, a, of the electric bell. This bell can now be operated by the bat-her for other purposes.

When it is desired to reset the apparatu for use, it is merely necessary to unfasten the part, d, of the float rod, together with the float, h, from the wall when it will resume its former position of itself. The stiffening tube, m, will then drop of itself until its flanged upper end, m, finds a bearing upon the guide, 0. The apparatus is then again ready for use. Care must be taken to insure that the amounts of play between the stiffening tube, m, and the apertures of the guides c and c and the float rods, (Z and d, are suflicient to prevent friction. Notwithstand ing the great amounts of play the lever, f f, is enabled by reason of its fixed fulcrum to act with accuracy on the button of the electric bell.

The materials of. which the parts are made are preferably metals which are not liable to rust.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus for indicating the water level, the combination with an audible alarm device, a float adapted to be acted upon by the contents of a liquid container, a jointed slidably mounted rod connected with said float and operatively associated with said device to actuate the same, means for swinging said rod laterally on its joint and suspending said float in an inoperative positi on, and automatic means serving when said float is in an operative position to maintain said rod rigid.

2. In an apparatus for indicating water levels, the combination with an audible alarm device, .a float adapted to be acted upon by the contents of a liquid container, a jointed slidably mounted rod connected with said float and operatively associated with said device to actuate the same, said rod being adapted to be swung at its joint, and means for suspending said float in an inoperative position, and a gravity acting sleeve serving to maintain said rod rigid when said float is in an operative position.

3. In an apparatus for indicating water levels, the combination with an audible alarm device, a float adapted to be acted upon by the contents of a liquid container, a jointed sectional slidably mounted rod connected wit-h said float and operatively associated with said device to actuate the same, said rod being adapted to be swung laterally at its joint, means for suspending said float in an inoperative position when said rod is swung laterally, a sleeve inclosing said rod and normally maintaining the same rigid and adapted to be raised to permit said rod to be swung laterally, and a stop limiting downward movement of said sleeve.

4. In an apparatus for indicating water levels, the combination with an audible alarm device, a float adapted to be acted upon by the contents of a liquid container, a jointed sectional rod connected with said float and operatively associated with said device to actuate the same, a bearing for said rod, a sleeve surrounding said rod and normally maintaining the same rigid, and a bearing for said sleeve, said sleeve provided with a stop adapted to engage the last mentioned bearing to limit downward movement of said sleeve.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 29th day of April, 1908, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PAUL STERN VON GWIAZDOWSKI.

Witnesses WOLDEMAR HAUPT, HENRY HASPER. 

